North Queensland are still burning from their third-round NRL thumping by Brisbane and are plotting revenge in their rematch on Friday night.
Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott can scarcely believe they are the same side that fell 44-22 to the ladder-leading Broncos back in March at Suncorp Stadium.
The embarrassing loss proved a turning point as North Queensland marched on to win their next six games in a row and climb to fourth on the ladder.
That streak will be extended to a club-record seven straight victories if they can get over the Broncos in Townsville on Friday.
"We probably weren't thinking we'd be in this position the last time we played them," said Scott on Tuesday.
"So for us to have turned the season around like we have and get back towards the top of the ladder has been a great effort by the boys.
"We were playing a totally different style of football to what we are now.
"The Broncos handed it to us down there last time so we know we've got a big job on our hands.
"We'd like to think it's going to be a different type of game but it was certainly hard to cop at the time."
Friday's clash is the last before both the Cowboys and Broncos are decimated by State of Origin.
To that end, it represents the last chance for Queensland hopefuls such as Cowboys pair Michael Morgan and Gavin Cooper to push their case for selection.
Back-rower Cooper has been knocking on the door for the last couple of years but Morgan just about kicked it down with his performance against the Bulldogs last week.
Scott believed Cooper in particular had a great chance to join him in Camp Maroon.
They're definitely playing the kind of footy that can get them into the Origin arena," said Scott.
"Coops has got that combination with (Johnathan Thurston) on the left edge there and with the departure of Benny Te'o and a couple of guys not in great form, there's certainly a spot there for him."
Scott was less sure about Morgan's chances of unseating Daly Cherry-Evans as Queensland's playmaking bench option.
Morgan's direct opponent on Friday, Brisbane's Ben Hunt, is angling for the same position.
"Chezza (Cherry-Evans) has done the job for us before and I know the selectors are very loyal," Scott said.
"They've been around the Origin frame before so they'll be close and they'll be in the selectors' minds.
"As much as I'd like to see Morgs in there - I still think he's a great chance - but I can't say which way they're going to go."
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